Author: Ricardo

Hello, Sakai updated today, nothing really that important actually. He was really busy with postproduction work on that prologue movie that was mentioned a while back and didn't get the time to finish up the Alpha Test 2 Player report. Even though 50,000 people played the alpha test, only 24,000 people completed the questionnaire.

The effect of the improvements to character creation can be seen in that Cast usage has increased since last time. Even though the gamepad wasn't working the first day, about 65% used it. Keyboard and mouse usage increased from 23% to 35%.

The entry in the questionnaire where you had to grade each aspect of the game with a score of 1 – 5, each section got a higher grade this time.

About 5,000 people actually participated in the BBS. There's about 1,000 threads, and 18,000 replies. It was interesting to see the various opinions people had about the game to show which aspects were going in the right direction.

Just so you know, the Alpha Test 2 Players site will shut down once the report is released. But the good news is that from March, we'll have announcements almost every week.

Racast Concept

 

HuCaseal Concept

PSE  (Mini Guide Append)

Various effects may occur when you slay enemies, which is known as Photon Sensitive Effect. When these occur, can receive various bonuses like increased stats or experience points.  As it occurs, PSE levels can increase the effect of the bonuses applied.

When you reach the 8th PSE level, you will achieve a PSE Burst. The effects increase dramatically for a limited time. You can extend the time of the PSE Burst when you keep killing enemies.

Before a PSE occurs, some kind of omen is displayed on the screen.

One of my favorite things about the PSE Burst is how the battle music slightly changes reminiscent to Phantasy Star Zero's rare enemy music.

Sakai comments about 3D printing PSO2 Characters

What if you could bring your PSO2 avatar to life in a physical 3D form. Unfortunately such a thing would be considerably expensive, like 30,000 yen. Plus how many people could actually afford such a service? 

[via shougai]

Hello! Sakai updated this morning. On the last day Sakai and the development team came out to play in the lobby!

A little more than 50,000 or 73% of players participated in this alpha test. 80% of those players reached up to Level 10. There were approximately 23,000 simultaneous connections. There is a lot more data he has to go through but he thanks you all for participating.

Be careful though, if you uninstall the game you may lose your screenshots, so please back them up beforehand.

Sakai is going to arrange a new Alpha Test 2 Player Report after he gathers the responses from the questionnaire. Here you can compare the results from the first alpha test with the second.  However, there are some new questions on this questionnaire.

You must complete the questionnaire by Feb 10th, 2012 18:00 JST.

 

Newman Ranger Costume

So we haven't yet seen the concept designs for the Newman Ranger costumes, well here it is! It has a gunner motif, protected in tight armor head to toe.

 Questionnaire

The top entry — 選択してください — is not shown in this list

Q1. What Control Scheme do you mainly use?

• Gamepad and Mouse
• Gamepad and Keyboard
• Gamepad and Keyboard is only for chatting.

Q2.  Which Gamepad and Model do you mainly use?

• I do not use it
• Sanwa Supply
• Logitech
• Buffulo
• Elecom
• Xbox 360
• Other

Q3. What Internet Connection do you use?

Internet Connection

• ADSL
• Fiber Optics
• Cable (CATV)
• Other

Internet Method

• Wired
• Wireless

Q4. Please checkmark the titles you have played before.

• Phantasy Star Portable (PSP)
• Phantasy Star Portable 2 (PSP)
• Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity (PSP)
• Phantasy Star Online Series (DC/GC/PC/XBOX)
• Phantasy Star Universe (PC/PS2/XBox360)
• Phantasy Star Zero (NDS)
• I did not play any of these.

Q5. Did you participate in the August Alpha Test 1?

• (x) Participated ( ) Did not Participate

Q6. For each of the following entries, please rate from 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.

• Game installation including the Launcher     great! (5 4 3 2 1) terrible!
• The whole title sequence from title to login.
• Character creation
• User Interface
• Character Operation Scheme
• Quest Contents
• Enemy Behavior
• Game Balance
• Character, field, enemy graphics
• Motion (animation)
• Effects
• Communication Functions
• My Room
• My Shop
• BGM
• Overall

 Q7. From what you played in Alpha Test 2, which aspect should be strengthened the most?

•  Character Actions
• Increase the number of weapons
• More weapon categories
• Increase the variety of PA and Skills
• More luscious graphics
• Improve Character Creation
• Improve Enemies
• More Map Variations
• Improve Chat Functions
• Add Something you can raise other than characters like Pets.
• Improve My Room Functions
• Improve Story and Setting
• Improve elements where lots of people can play.
•  Improve areas other than battle
• Add Competitive elements

Q8. Please choose a service that you would like us to coordinate with the game.

• Facebook
• Mixi
• Twitter
• Mobage
• GREE'
• Amoeba
• Youtube
• Nico Nico Douga
• Other
• Nothing in particular

Input Other service here:

Q9.  Please choose the service you currently have an account with.

• Facebook
• Mixi
• Twitter
• Mobage
• GREE'
• Amoeba
• Youtube
• Nico Nico Douga
• Yahoo Japan
• Livedoor
• Google Account
• Other
• Nothing in particular

Other Account:

Q10. From the following, please select the online game and portal sites you use.

• Capcom Online Games
• Game Chu
• mgame
• MK-Style
• NEXON
• play nc
• gamania
• Gungho Games
• Gamepot
• HanGame
• Other
• Nothing in particular

Q11. Please write 3 console games you find most interesting.

Q12. Please write what PC online games you usually play

Q13.  Which game consoles and handhelds do you have?

• Playstation 3
• Playstation Portable
• Playstation Vita
• Wii
• Nintendo DS
• Nintendo 3DS
• Xbox 360
• Dumb Phone
• Iphone
• Android
• Windows Phone
• Desktop PC
• Laptop
• IPad
• Android Tablet
• Windows Tablet
• Other
• None in particular

Please type in what other platform you use:

Q14. Using your character data from the PC version, which other platform would you like to use it to play the Phantasy Star Online 2 "Series".

(Of course with this particular question, it is alluding to the relationship between Phantasy Star Universe and Phantasy Star Portable 2. You can import character data from PSU into Phantasy Star Portable 2. )

• Playstation 3
• Playstation Portable
• Playstation Vita
• Wii
• Nintendo DS
• Nintendo 3DS
• Xbox 360
• Dumb Phone
• Iphone
• Android
• Windows Phone
• Desktop PC
• Laptop
• IPad
• Android Tablet
• Windows Tablet
• Other
• None in particular

Input Other:

Q15: Were you able to play this test normally?

• Yes, I could play the game normally and play with other people
• I could play the game normally, but was only able to do so solo.
• I downloaded the client but the game did not even start.
• I wasn't even able to download it.

Q16: What comments would you like to give the development team in 1000 characters or less.

 

Additional Comments

We recommend not typing any comments in English. Anyway, this is yet another hint of a console Phantasy Star game in the pipeline that may use character data from PSO2. However I strongly believe Phantasy Star Victory will be highly related to PSO2 in every shape and form.